EduBook

I wrote two articles for Edubook and even though they were topics I was interested in, they still took time. 500 words is a lot and $5 is not. I was already writing for DS when I applied at Edubook thinking it would be easy to knock out a few articles a week on fun topics, but it was actually not so easy. When the pay came -- $10 that became $9 and change after going through paypal -- I realized I was better off at DS even if I couldn't suggest the topic.

If you enjoy writing short pieces for websites, I suggest applying to work for Demand Studios. They pay $15 an article that is between 350-400 words. That's 100 words less and $10 more than Edubook. Just my opinion, of course.

I'm based in the UK, so most of the content sites won't let me join, but I think this is actually a good thing.

I wasted a lot of time doing low paid content writing. I've given up on most of the gigs now - I echo what other posters have said - they trap you - you end up spending more and more time on the low paid stuff, and just don't have the time to pursue better things.

I still have two fairly low paid jobs, but they are reliable payers, don't take long, and are very flexible. They're also better pay than one cent per word.

I wish I hadn't wasted my time on the low paying sites. Most of the writing I did for them was rushed, and reflects poorly on me. Even the good pieces aren't really suitable for a portfolio, because most people know the sites they're on, and know those sites don't have a good reputation.

There are good writing jobs out there - even on the freelance sites. It's disheartening to look for them, but it's worth investing the extra time, rather than taking the first jobs that you come across.

Just my cent or two